Florence, Italy: My Travel Blog

A land oozing with culture. Although I can appreciate modern aesthetics and be envious of a futuristic home or surroundings, that is not me. I love the comfort of an old, warm, easy-going environment. Italy is such a place, at least where we spent most of our time, Florence or Firenze, as it is said in Italian.

One Morning In Florence

I open the screenless windows in our two bedroom appartamento. The sun is shining, and the streets are alive. It’s noon, and we are just getting our coffee. Our place is around the corner from the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) in the heart of the town, and I couldn’t be happier. From our window, I look around and see a Gelateria, a wine store and a few cafe’s. I enjoy the sounds of robust Italian banter coming from the rustic stone streets.

My heart was full and Florence felt like home. That is how I rate a vacation. Could I live here or summer here like a quintessential Italian? I think I can. As I sit at the kitchen table, I look out the window and listen to the Vespa’s, bicycles and little cars drive by and the noise is welcome.

I want to hear and feel Italy. So many things we had planned to do but spent the last two days sleeping until 11 a.m, and getting out around 1 p.m, and that’s ok with me. How does one get up early when you don’t eat dinner until 9:30 at night? This is my kind of place … I have always been a night person. I will go see a sunset any day of the week, but a sunrise? Not so much.

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We have laundry hanging everywhere. Freddy has done the wash a couple of times, and there is no dryer. When we asked where the dryer was, they laughed. They don’t use dryers. If I were home, I would be freaking out, but this just feels so authentic, so I am happily enjoying the atmosphere.

If only I could speak Italian – I think I would fit right in. I don’t care what my DNA says, I feel 100% Italian. I have always said the Irish only comes out in me on St. Patricks Day and this solidifies it for me. Freddy and I just decided we are going to take Italian together at our local school – this way we will be ready for when we come back.

I love walking everywhere. I could care less whether I ever drove a car again, so this is perfect!. We walk down the stairs and out the large glass doors with iron grids and go right or left or cross the street to get whatever you want. This is how we get our coffee every morning in Florence.

Coffee

You can drink coffee, espresso or cappuccino all day and still sleep like a baby. We aren’t used to this. At home, I can’t drink more than one cup in the morning and one in the afternoon and my heart races to get me through the day. Not here … I just feel good. Why is it so much better here with fewer side effects? Ahhh … another reason I can live here. Cappuccino and a pastry or croissant seem to be a typical breakfast. The croissants aren’t buttery, they are sweet and often have a honey glaze.

When we went to visit Ruffino Winery in Tuscany, the sommelier told us cappuccino after 12 is frowned upon. We did no idea, and here I was drinking one every day around 5 pm. Such a Turista! She explains they don’t drink cappuccino beyond the morning because the milk in the caffe, binds you up after lunch or dinner. When discussing the difference with the coffee, she surmises the answer is the water. In Italy, a grande is the size of a small teacup. Guess who is now drinking her coffee almost black and in smaller portions?

Florence: A Wine Region

The Sommelier also told us quite a bit about wine and the history of the Ruffino Winery in Tuscany. For those who don’t know, Florence is in the region of Tuscany and this is where the best Chianti in all of Italy is produced. At Tenuta di Poggio Casciano, the views are beautiful, and we learned about the land and natural ways they grow the grapes. Certain fragrant flowers and bees are used to bring in good bugs to kill the bad bugs. When the cycle is over, these same flowers are mulched into the ground for their nutrients to fertilize the land.

Within a couple of years, the whole winery will be completely organic. I learned about the different colors in the reds and the stronger oaky taste means the older and more fermented the wine. Our glasses were filled a few times, but isn’t that what cabs are for?

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We also did another spur of the moment wine tasting while walking by a small cafe. This is where, in case you didn’t see this on my facebook, Joey had his first sip of wine, Bella and I got a little tipsy and had the best salad ever! Then we were on our way to shop at the 5th Avenue of Florence, Via de’ Tornabuoni.

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Art & Culture in Florence

My kids will tell you that I am not a museum person or nearly as cultured as they are when it comes to artwork. But it was different here. I looked at the pictures and read the descriptions and history behind the artwork. Suddenly I wanted to learn and take it all in.

There is so much beauty and history in Italy. There you can see the stories of the Bible passed down through the centuries. We just take the Bible at its word, but here you see it all come to life. In all the churches and the museums. As soon as you walk in the door of one of the many churches we visited, you feel a sense of peace. A little bit of peace is something I long for daily, so this is a welcome feeling.

At some point, I am so enthralled by the artwork that I even start noticing the differences from one artist to another. Michelangelo and Raffaello are more colorful, and their paintings are of a photo-like quality. In everyone’s artwork, nobody smiles and I wonder why that is? Art has to speak to you, and one picture had a lot to say as the strength of a woman was acknowledged,  Allegory of Fortitude. This painting is said to also be showing a cancerous breast as is depicted in some renaissance art.

Art, whether it be paintings, sculptures or murals, they all tell a story … even every sculpture has so much more to say than first noticed by the naked eye. The more complicated the sculpture or painting – the more intricate or complicated the story. Even a bust shows how they are depicted according to their reputation. Admittedly, at first I was a little overwhelmed by all the small uncircumcised penis’ but eventually, you do overlook it. The backsides are quite muscular, too.

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All of the artwork was commissioned by somebody of power and wealth to fill up their palaces. In Florence, many seemed to be requested by the Medici family. I wish I had more time to really observe and take it all in, but I will be back to do that!

The Boboli Gardens

For a quiet stroll or a picnic lunch spectacular views, visit the Boboli Gardens in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. I could have spent all day here just wandering around the grounds taking in all the peace and splendor. We took advantage of all the places to take pictures.

The Food

In Italy, they eat exactly how I grew up during the holidays or when I was at my grandmothers or great-grandparents house. The pasta was first (primo piatto), and a protein was secondi piatto. It wasn’t eaten at the same time. Salad always came after dinner to help digest the food.

Everyone was always talking about the fresh mozzarella, but nobody mentioned the bread! The focaccia bread sandwiches are amazing! Grab and go, and everyone just walks around eating them. They don’t put salt in their bread and there is no butter – even olive oil is frowned upon with bread. We ate out every lunch and dinner for 11 days and not once did anyone put butter on the table, and we never asked. When in Florence …

So you know how we went for Joey’s 18th so he could have a pepperoni pizza in Italy? There is no such thing as pepperoni in Italy. If they have it, you are not in an authentic family Italian restaurant! Salami and prosciutto pizza is everywhere, but no pepperoni! It’s ok – he ate all of whatever kind of pizza he had!

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Fresh mozzarella is much softer there than it is here – this is how you know a good one. Honestly, I had delicious some delicious ones and others that I could get back home.

Their fresh pasta is fantastic! I have had some good fresh ones in New York, but there is something different about the pasta in Italy. From what I understand, could also be the water. The pomodoro and pesto sauces are fresh and do not give you agita. They use Roma tomatoes with no seeds.

Also, they don’t fry much if at all in Italy and as they told us in Trattoria la Casalinga – it is unhealthy! Joe loves his fried calamari and only once could we find that and it was on Good Friday at Trattoria Del Carmines. Boy, was it clean! The color was the same as the calamari itself – the best I ever had and not feel guilty eating it. Also – only comes with lemon. This particular dinner was our favorite. I also had THE BEST sea bass I have ever had, and Freddy had fresh pasta with mussels and clams – amazing! It was also our last dinner so we could savor that for the trip home.

The Human Touch

Another thing about Italy, they treat disabled people like royalty. Every museum or church or tourist attraction, we were hustled right in and through security. There were no lines for us. If we asked where we had to buy tickets, they would escort us right to security and push us through. Always with a smile and an acknowledgment of a blessing for us, while greeting Joe with a handshake or a pat on the back.

Cabdrivers – I could write a whole post on I don’t know how these people drive here! Crazy! Everywhere are seemingly one-way narrow cobblestone roads between buildings, but maybe are two-ways, it was hard to tell. Thank God, all the cars are small! People just walk in the street and fiats or motorcycles or taxis pull up behind them and they move. Chaotic but yet everyone seems to know what they are doing. Nobody stops and yells when a car almost hits them, they smile, wave and say scusi and go on about their business. All very civilized. If you want to see what it’s like to drive – you can come on a cab ride with us here.

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Arrivederci, Florence & Italy

The taxi drove away, and tears filled my eyes, falling down my cheeks. Another sign of a great vacation. Life moves too fast, and we waited so long for it to come, and then you blink and it’s over. I am taking in my last views, the cab driver is playing Italian music and is singing along.

Hopefully, when I come back, I will understand what the words are. I do understand amore … that’s the only words I need to understand because that is all I feel right now … love and gratitude for my husband for bringing us and letting me fulfill my wishes and whims, my little man for walking all these miles (65+), my Isabella for going abroad forcing us to bite the bullet and take this trip and love for a country that I will visit again. Until then … Arrivederci a Firenze.

Final Thoughts

I am half Italian, so although I know there is so much more to see in the world, that is my heritage. I want to see and learn more about where my DNA comes from.

How does anyone truly know who they are without knowing from where they come? My mother recently went to Genoa to explore her ancestry and said she felt at home there. A feeling I can now understand and a love for a city I hope I passed on to you.

I hope I was able to make you feel just a part of what I experienced!

For another different kind of travel blog, visit Jets Fans in Nashville.

Molto Amore Sempre,

Sandy

#enlighten #empower #inspire #educate and please, always #BeKInd